Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry says that the government had given its approval to just over 21 GW of clean energy projects by the end of fiscal 2012.
The projects approved include 18.68 GW of non-residential solar and indicate that Japan’s incentive programme for clean energy is stimulating investment.
Other projects to have received approval include wind and biomass projects.
Japan’s renewable energy capacity now stands at around 23 GW and the country is aiming to boost clean energy production in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear energy disaster. The country is projected to add the most solar capacity in the world this year thanks to above-market rates for clean energy on offer to investors.
Incentives for solar energy power plants were cut in April, however, to reflect lower equipment and construction costs. The incentive now stands at 37.8 yen/kWh for 20 years, down from 42 yen/kWh.
In fiscal 2012, Japan added 36 MW of biomass capacity, 1 MW of geothermal and 63 MW of wind energy capacity. Non-household solar PV additions in fiscal 2012 amounted to 706 MW while households are estimated to have added 1269 MW of PV capacity.
